1. The student will prepare a 1-page Specific Aims page (single spaced; 11 pt NIH-approved font (e.g., Arial); 0.5” margins). References are optional, but if included must be on a separate page.
2. A student who has previously submitted an NIH F31 or grant application of similar length with substantial input from their thesis advisor is expected to develop at least one Aim not contained within the jointly developed application.
3. Previously submitted grants must be disclosed and submitted to the QE committee prior to the Specific Aims meeting.
4. The meeting must not exceed one hour in duration unless discussion of revisions requires additional time.
5. The student must prepare a brief overview of the Specific Aims that does not exceed five minutes and ten slides. The student will be allowed to present this overview uninterrupted for five minutes at the beginning of the exam. The overview will introduce the background and rationale for the Specific Aims and will provide a brief outline of each Aim. Additional slides can be prepared to provide visual aids that facilitate further discussion. Experimental details or preliminary data will not be presented. Students should expect to be engaged in discussion and to address questions throughout the rest of the meeting.
6. Transcript and letter from the thesis advisor (supporting the student’s candidacy) will be reviewed by the committee at this time.
7. The thesis advisor can have input on the Specific Aims before this meeting.
8. Only QEC members and the student are present.
9. The outcome of the meeting, including details of any substantial revisions to the Specific Aims, must be communicated to the student in writing by the QE Chair.